YOU PLAY POINT BLANK EDITOR
Have a story idea? Please place it in Comments.
The team is on the road all week, and I’m not. We may have entered the dog days. The Islanders are six games below the new NHL .500. In a league where the Rangers win a game in a shootout once a week, six games under is like the old 10 games under.
The team is off today and I do not expect a major transaction. So I am requesting your help.
Have any story ideas?
There’s always plenty to write about. It’s not like I have writer’s block (yet) or anything. I’m just very open to suggestions. This is not a Q & A, but an invitation to play editor.
Have a legitimate story idea you’d like me to cover over the next few weeks? Please put it in Comments. Thanks.
106 Responses to “YOU PLAY POINT BLANK EDITOR
Have a story idea? Please place it in Comments.”
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how about an article on the 93 team?
One story I would like to hear about is the thought process behind the Nokalainen trade. Was it just the new management getting rid of the old regime’s players or did they expect more from Walter than they are currently recieving? Seemed quick to dump a 1st round pick.
Thanks.
Chris, Thank you for the opportunity.
I’d like to know more about our scouting (personnel), assignments and any fun stories you could share. Maybe a week in the life of each!
Since our rebuild is “drafting and developing youth” - that is predicated on the assumption we are evaluating, drafting and developing the right talent.
Thank you.
Bryan stole my thunder. I’ve been asking about that trade for a while. Nokie seemed like he could have been a replacement for Sillinger - a checking line, two-way center. I always liked what I saw from Walter, but could never imagine him and Neilson playing on the same team - It’s almost like they’re very similar players and would just be fighting for the same roster spot.
How about a piece intended to give the Islanders fans some hope for the future by drawing parallels to how the Bruins organization turned themselves around so quickly? Their intruiging mixture of young talent, solid veterans, and a consistent organizational philosophy is something that could happen here as well. I also love the 93 team idea. Thanks.
Would be cool to read a “where are they now?” feature about some of our favorite Isles.
Thanks, CB
I like the “where are they now?” idea, however, I would love to get an opinion piece. I would like the piece to be on where you think the Isles will be sitting come the deadline, who will be moving out of here, and what we might get for them? A little predictions piece for fun.
Thanks, CB!
As VP of Media Relations for the Islanders during the Mike Milbury era, you have got to have some great stories about Mr. Milbury, who seemed to always have something to say and never had a problem saying it. How about some stories of what it was like to work with him on the media side? We’ve heard about the tape before game 6 in the Toronto series, but how about some tidbits about what went on in Islanders PR land when he supposedly made Tommy Salo cry? Just mention Milbury in an article and you are guaranteed to spur a lively debate. He never gets credit for the year the Islanders took Toronto to 7 games, and that was the last time the barn was regularly packed and there was constant excitement in the building.
I too like the where are they now idea…some of the guys from the mid 90’s…Fichaud, Soderstrom…just to name 2 that i have no idea what happened to. Another idea could be a story on the 2000 draft…A draft that could have really made us a great team but instead saw us trade a 21 year old Luongo and Olli Jokinen, and had us draft Rick(ety) D and pass up Heatley/Gaborik
I would love to hear your take on some of the trades that happened over the years. What you felt at the time of say ” the Todd Bertuzzi trade” or everything surronding the Palffy deal.
How about something on us passionate fans. The core like myself, who go year after year, game after game, because Islanders hockey is in our blood. The ones who want us to win every game, but lose every game as well to get that coveted #1
Other than the Milbury stories you’re saving for your book, maybe address what some of us refer to as the “urban legends” or “internet rumours” surrounding some of the team’s moves over the last few years. E.g., was Laviolette really fired because he told the owner that realistically there was no shot at beating Ottawa in the 03 playoffs, why Yashin got a ten year contract and did Milbury try to talk Wang out of it, why Lafontaine walked when Neil Smith was fired, what was the last straw that had Wang finally dismiss Mikey, and whether Ricky’s 15 year deal was finalized while Ricky and the owner were at an American Idol concert.
Love the “Where are they now” idea - how about Mick Vukota to start?
Write about Vukota or Pilon. We miss those two.
I’m curious about the internal reaction to some of the more questionable Milbury trades, like Bertuzzi and Luongo. I recall that fans were really down on Bertuzzi and wanted to give up on him; did most people within the organization feel the same way?
Hey Chris,
How about a little disclosure of what the guys do on road tripe to keep it loose as in pranks. Anyone who’s played travel hockey knows that not only boys will be boys but men are still boys when it comes to getting one over on a teammate or rookie. What are the most memorable for you in years past and this season?
I would love to see your thoughts on the upcoming draft and where you see the Islanders falling. Also would like to see your thoughts on the Hedeman vs Tavares pick. Maybe the pros and cons of drafting either or, I am sure you feel the same as the rest of us that this teams lacks the talent and depth right now to compete and must draft extremly carefully while adding the correct Free Agents during the summer. The Lighthouse Approval in the next 6-8 months whould be extremly helpful in the financial stability of the team going foward.
How about writing your take on Trish the Dish and the escapades with the opposing backup goalie that Alan Hahn mentioned in his book?
oh geez..that’s a tough one..maybe go back in time to what the sport was like when it started out, how much things have changed, good or bad? the history of hockey, what the guys wore, rules, players..etc) I don’t know..whatever you decide..is fine by me it’s all good
This is not so much an idea for an article, more of a question/observation. Do the Islander players get flu shots? I remember being upset last year when the “flu bug” hit the team- thinking that it could have been avoided with simply giving the players the shot. Any info on this?
How about possible place the Islanders might move to…
Leafs coach Ron Wilson recently went off on the media — not really news, I suppose — and called into question their knowledge of the finer points of the game.
“Every single day you ask the same questions. You know the amazing thing? You’ve never asked me once what we’re doing in practice. ‘What was that drill?’ No one’s ever asked that. It’s always: ‘What’s Jason Blake going to do tomorrow? Where’s Brian Burke having dinner tonight?’
“You don’t really talk about the actual Xs and Os of the game. I find that kind of strange. So then I wonder, maybe you don’t ask those questions because maybe you don’t understand.”
I would have to say his comments are dead-on but it’s not only the media lacking in true tactical knowledge of hockey.
Whoever’s fault it is — the reporter for the stale, recycled question or the coach for the cliched, canned answer — we rarely hear about the game’s inner-workings.
There is a point to this, please bear with me. Maybe you can do a feature on those Xs and Os to which Wilson is referring.
Gordon’s tactics would be an obvious starting point, but perhaps you can compare and contrast his with those of the other locals.
Just a thought.
How about trade deadline surviver who stays who goes. What we want and what we actually need for the future of this organization.
I’m curious to know who in the organization has been following PB this season.
Since you made a poll on Bailey at the WJC, is there anyone in management that will actually see the results?
SAB
this is one of the top blogs in hockey - no doubt. what makes it interesting is not just the coverage, but the “inside” perspective that is riveting for hardcore fans.
Any stories that related to the human side of hockey players - good and bad.
The Avery story was great, but I’m sure there are a lot of positive stories that are interesting as well.
I’m sure there would be great interest in the current roster of players but I believe there’s just as much interest from past teams.
Are there any stories that came from the heated Leaf-Isles battle in the playoffs a few years ago? Cairns - Webb - Bates….exciting times.
Here are some Ideas:
1 - a brief description of the top 20 draft prospects for the 2009 draft
2 - a story about the Isles TV deal, if they would ever consider getting out of that deal and going to another network like SNY for example
3 - a story about what the Islanders can do to improve attendence, since they are last in the league…ex. maybe another $10 game like they did 2 or 3 years ago.
4 - talk about some of the 2009 UFA’s that could be a fit the Islanders (not just superstars that won’t come here)
5 - Maybe a story about the chance of trading the UFA’s we have at the deadline this year and maybe resigning Weight & Guerin in the summer.
6 - Maybe a story about Tim Jackman’s & Andy Sutton’s offseason conditioning and skating programs they used - Jackman looks like a much faster skater than last season.
an article on where does the team go from here. Is The youth movement working? Why or why not the fans should be paitent, with some possible insight to who you see developing into legit players.
CB. I read your blog everyday. You tell it like it is.
I want to hear about #77 Pierre Turgeon!
You did a story about the top 5 prospects who arent in BP or on the Isles… HOw about a BP prospect update… when are we going to see Jesse Joensuu for example
Story idea: since the Islanders have been blowing 3rd period leads the entire season maybe it has something to do with they system. Don’t get me wrong I love the system, however it seems its either 1 of 2 reasons: 1st and most obvious - they simply can’t keep up the pace the entire game and by the time the 3rd period comes around they are shot (tired); maybe rolling 4 lines consistently. #2 - this is the NHL with NHL players - and its possible that the coaching staff and players are able to make the necessary adjustments by the start of the 3rd period.
I’d love more information as to how players deal with being sent up and down between here and bport. Especially a player like Fritz, who is on the fabled “shuttle.” How does he deal with the uncertainty? Does he have two wardrobes? How is he treated by the player in the respective locker rooms when he leaves/arrives?
Holy crap, you folks are good. Knew I could count on you. Please keep the ideas coming.
I’m going to wait and see if the Islanders are doing anything today. If not, I’ll try to tackle one or two of these today. Already working on my term paper on the drafting and trading of Petteri Nokelainen.
Thanks, everyone. Don’t stop now…CB
As mentioned above — anything related to the behind the scenes items — life on the road, insight into scouting always interesting.
Also, with the sheer volume of information online (including this blog) — do players/management keep up on any of this / how do they deal with it when 500 (sometimes educated, sometimes not so much) “fans” have so much “feedback”. Do they have a secret website trashing posters for their bonehead posts? Is there specific team policy / recommendation to not read any online forums? Do PRO players consider this all just useless drivel by folks who could never skate a mile in their shoes?
how about something on the success of the soundtigers this season.
I’d like to know the process by how we went from being heard on Bloomberg 1130, with an amazingly strong signal, to being heard on a collection of stations that I’m guessing gives pretty good coverage to Suffolk and eastern Nassau, and terrible coverage closer to the city. Do the Islanders still buy the time and then try to recoup the costs with ad sales? Or do they get a small rights fee? If they do buy the time, were there any stations bidding a rights fee but at a level considered unacceptable by the Isles? What is needed (besides a winner) to get the Isles on a more powerful signal? I know we aren’t the most popular team in town, but how many people are listening to the evening programming of a station like WOR (which we used to be on) or other AM stations in the area. Or is this all just wishful thinking?
I would definitely like to read about some of the ideas already posted, above all a piece about this years deadline, and also any behind the scenes info on why in the world Parise wasn’t drafted.
Other then that, I’d also like to see a piece giving us a more in-depth and personal look at Nielsen. Prior to his injury, I personally was more impressed by his play then any of the other youngsters. Maybe it was just lower expectations but I thought he played the best. And I can only wonder the moves he pulls in practice considering how good he is in shootouts.
Here’s something a little different. How about a review of all the “wonderful” food choices available at NVMC. You can talk about price, content, nutrition info, location in the building and popularity. Just a thought.
Chris, you touched on the story I’d like you to cover in your own brief entry. I’d like a story of the merits of the current NHL standings system, namely the reason for there still being an OTL point. Didn’t they originally create this point to ensure that teams would not hold back in OT and go for a win, thus disincentivizing settling for ties? Well, now that there is a shootout and a guaranteed winner for each game, why does this OTL point still exist?
The NHL standings look like a joke because of it, firstly due to the artificial ‘parity’ it causes in the standings, and secondly due to the NHL’s astounding mathematical achievement of having it be possible for every team to finish with “above .500″ records. Chris, is the NHL aware of its flawed system and are there any thoughts of changing it?
An interesting Ryan Smyth story. I’m sure there are a few of them.
Let me add one more if I may–the whole issue of taking Nilsson rather than Parise. Given that Nilsson was the last of three straight Euro first round picks by us, did the pick have anything to do with the old CBA which let teams keep the rights to Euros without time constraints, but capped the rights to North American draftees at two years?
Mick Vukota is a Correctional Sgt. out in Dukes County around the Martha’s Vineyard area. Google Marinko Vukota for more info
I like the where are they now suggestions. How about doing one on Garth Snow?
A salary cap means parity and parity is supposed to mean less time for turning around a bad team - just ask the NFL.
At least, that’s the theory.
So, in your opinion, is the rebuild for the Isles easier or harder in the post-Lockout NHL?
“We’ve been promising the future for a long time, and the future is close to arriving.”
— Mike Milbury
This said by Milbury enterng the 2000-2001 season that ultimately saw the islanders finishing dead last.
Some Notes
-Islanders tradition took a beating in the mid- to late-’90. How much excitement can this team generate when a number of AHL and a couple ECHL teams draw bigger crowds?
-Rick DiPietro hurt his groin early in camp and will begin the season in the IHL (Chicago Wolves).
What has changed?
I would love to hear about that epic season that saw us trade away Chara and our #1(Kovalchuck) for dare I say his name. Guys I loved to watch play like Isbister, Claude Lapointe, Scatchard, Kenny Jonsson, Czerkawski, Webb. And the other bonehead trade of saying bye-bye to Luongo and Jokinen.
Anything to write about besides a few playoff apperances, it looks like this team has gone absolutely nowhere since that 00-01′ season??
I like Tom’s suggestion…I would like to see:
1. Any inside baseball on what led to Garth Snow being named GM (I’m fine with the job he’s done, it was just a strange choice at the time)
2. Rule changes you’d like to see in the NHL (my 2 are 3-point games all the time, 3 pts for a win in regulation then 2 for an OT/shootout win and 1 for an OT/shootout loss, and a shorthanded goal can end a penalty).
3. Detailed description of how the lease with SMG hamstrings the Islanders and why the team and the county have not bought them out as of yet.
I’m sure I’ll think of others….thanks again for all you do.
1) Updates on guys we never hear about: Randy Wood, Gerald Diduck, Mick Vukota etc
2) Any good Kelly Hrudey story but especially how/why the Isles traded him to LA.
3)Behind the scenes info on deals that did or did not happen.
4)What you think the 2009 team will look like.
5) Any good Bill Torrey stories.
Do you think any of guerin/weight/sillinger/ etc. gets traded. Who is most likely. Chances of that player resigning with the isles if they were to trade them. Can this type of under the table be done/ has it ever been done?
i think the average fan has a hard time evaulating the talent of our propects in bridgeport. since this a rebuilding islanders team, how do you see how line up in 09-10, in 10-11? guys like iggulden, mcclean, smith, walter, joensuu, bentivoglio. where do they project, if anywhere in the next couple seasons?
An update on the new third uniform, will it be the main uniform next year. And will the home uniforms return to white’s. Mark
Why it took so long into the summer for Snow and Nolan to part company? The team would have been much better off had it happened soon after the season.
CB- I’m not sure if you can touch this ’story’ but I would love to get your take on Colin Campbell. I DO NOT subscribe to conspiracy theories, BUT I truly believe something ‘is up’ where Soupy is concerned. The guy is definietly way, way off on his opinions where the Isles are concerned.
Chris, Maybe an update on the progress of the 2008 draft class so far and the World Junior is coming up.
How about where are they now of Steve Sterling and Brad Shaw?
There are some great ideas on here!
I dont want to repeat ones that have already been suggested, so here is a different idea: How about a piece discussing many of the things repeated about this team/players/organization which, based on your knowledge and research, arent actually true? It could be kind of like a Myth:/Truth: type of thing.
The Internet has shown itself to be a breeding ground of both innovative thought and continually repeated fallacies. When those who regularly promote the former also help dispel the latter, everybody benefits.
How about an objective (3rd party scout),
rating of our top 10 prospects and their upside potential.
CB - I’d like a story on Kirk Muller from when he was reluctant to report after the trade for him during 94-95 season, followed by his disinterested play when he finally did report, then the organization’s banishment of him from the team, then after recalling him, his refusal to report at all.
In my opinion, it was this situation that our organization has yet to recover from.
A blog entry about what was occuring on the management level, and their perceptions & reactions would be an interesting read.
Chris, 2 possible topics:
-why coaches don’t stick with lines long enough to gel; maybe it’ll take a week or 2??
-Frequency at which the NHL tests players for doping and how it’s done?
Moose on Dec 10th, 2008 12:15:15 said:
“How about where are they now of Steve Sterling and Brad Shaw?”
I know that Brad Shaw is an assistant coach with the Blues- but I wouldnt mind if Chris wrote about him, I always liked the guy.
How about from after the 93 season to not keeping Healy to Maloney to Kirk Muller to all the ownership changes to the scoreboard is falling to (uggh I’m making myself sick)Any intersesting Spano stuff, Gluckstern & those fools
Forget about Milbury stories, what about a John Spano anecdote?
Or what about piece detailing the need for a new arena?
Last I heard, Mick Vukota was a sheriff in Montana, or something of the sort. And no, I am not kidding!
How about a story on the other side of the coin, on fans around the continent or even the world? Encourage them the write in and have them tell their Islanders stories. I’m from Newfoundland, Canada. There are more Habs and Leafs fans here than you can shake a stick at. There is a surprising contingient of Isles fans too.
The posibility that the NY Islander’s are leaving Long Island, this is an absolute Myth. The NY Islander’s aren’t going anywhere. The people that mention this, are NY Islander’s haters. Now with that said, they still need to complete the Lighthouse Project, asap. Great work as always Chris, Mark
I’d love some more stories like the one on Sudsie. That was really good stuff. Maybe a similar piece on the equipment manager, or trainer, or someone crucial to the team’s success that often goes unheralded.
Maybe something on what the some of the people on the business operations side of an NHL team do (like a day-in-the-life of your old job).
Maybe you could highlight some of the scouts or how they do their job.
I’d like background on the daily schedule for injured players. It sounds boring, but how closely are they monitored by the team? How much rehab or game video do they watch? How different is their schedule from the team?
I was also gonna mention the Kirk Muller idea, and a more expanded version of the Nokelainen story: Namely, the Islander’s reluctance to allow their 1st round picks to develop, some of whom went on to have anywhere from decent to good NHL careers - JP Dumont, Wade Redden, Michael Rupp, Luongo, Nokelainin, Neilson etc. Obviously, not all those situations are the same, and some were traded in deals that brought back a known aommodity, but it is noentheless indicative of a certain trend.
Thanks Chris, you da man.
ESPN had something recently about the most tortured fans in sports. It seemed to focus on years since last championship - so it include the Cubs, the Royals, and others. I think you should write a column about what our fans have been through since ‘93. We are on 15 years, and have never made it past the 1st round since then…
Also a piece on Garth Snow. We haven’t heard much from him this year and his moves are working out.
Regarding the deadline and Justin’s question: Your best guess on whether Guerin, Weight, Sillinger would actually *want* to move again, when the time comes.
They each appear to like LI. Weight was already very resistant to playing rental a 2nd time when dumped by STL to Anaheim. What if Snow gets into an HR fix: a deal’s on the table, but the vet in question doesn’t want to move? And it’s hard enough to attract free agents here (without ticking them off), but for the right price…?
Hey CB, maybe a story on Pascal Morency? He’s a character, and everyone in Bridgeport loves him. He’s tough, small, and gritty. He seems like a Kevin Colley type, perhaps. I’d love to know more about him, and I know many Sound Tigers fans would eat it up.
A story on the Spano period would be interesting. I think Larry had a good idea about Bridgeport and talent as well.
Yesterday we debated whether they should let Bailey go to WJC. Maybe take a look what that move could also allow the team to do. Such as showcasing Comrie and Sillenger. What the returns could we expect come deadline. Is Snow even looking into trading the pending UFA’s or is he making these moves to personal. Any stories pertaining to the draft or the future.. because the present aint so nice to talk about.
All the human interest stories are nice, and clearly there’s a big appetite for “inside scoops” that really have no other outlet. Those are great, but I’ll second Michael’s request for some serious discussion of hockey strategy. There’s really no forum out there for discussions of the strategy despite the fact that hockey now is meticulously planned, to the point where an old-school let ‘em play coach like Barry Melrose looks like he forgot to get dressed in the morning.
It’d be great if Chris could draw on the Islanders staff for candid discussions of strategy, or other organizations’ scouts for assessments of the Islanders’ tactics. While guest articles would be amazing, I imagine the best format to get participants would be through interviews. From my discussions on message boards, it seems like there’s a hunger for this kind of conversation that most outlets simply do not address.
This isn’t really a piece, but some understanding of the cable arrangement and what type of power/rights/influence can the Isles have on Cablevision to not bump the Isles to the overflow channel which isn’t in HD. Can’t cablevision segregate who is on the overflow channel based on region. In Jersey, the Devils should be on MSG+, in Long Island/Queens, the Isles should be on MSG+.
Majority of fans are watching from home, so I would think the outlet to these fans should be a high priority for the team.
Mark, do you really think there is no chance the Islanders could move from Long Island? I mean this is the NHL. I am no Islander hater, but I think it is always a possibility; just ask any Whaler fan.
Perhaps you can write about some of the behind the scenes stuff during the reign of milbury. So many horrible things happened when he was gm. Maybe a lil something about the luongo deal, or that Horrible Trevor Linden trade. The Ryan Smyth trade perhaps or letting Ziggy go. If not maybe a look at what this team will look like come next summer. After the draft. Who will be here and who will be gone.
Hey CB, I have something that I think might make a good story, especially for people whom have never played hockey nor been involved with the day-to-day operations of a professional sports team in real life: I’d like to see a breakdown on “the equipment of hockey” (casual wear, practice, game-day, etc.) and “who pays for what” (game equipment, business suits, transportation costs, etc.) and “what are the rules” (suggested bedtimes, times to arrive at practice / the arena, travel with family, etc.) in the life of a hockey team.
This story might attempt to answer such questions as: “who pays for the guys’ equipment (skates, sticks, pads, helmets, jerseys, etc.)?” ; “how many sets of equipment are there (practice equipment vs. road equipment vs. home equipment)?” ; what is “standard” for each player, and what are the “extras” that the guys need to ask for or pay for themselves? ; can family members travel with the guys? ; can the guys “sightsee” while in the host cities? ; what happens between morning skate and gameday warm-ups?
Sorry, this was long… but I wanted to make my point / case.
Besides my awesome 93 team idea, I’d like to know what goes on during the arbitration process. Do the players actually go before a board and get judged? Or is it a behind-closed-doors kind of thing?
Here is one you can have fun with - or perhaps not…
Project the state of the Islander franchise in 2012 - on and off the ice.
I’ll even give you alternate tracks to play with:
1. Lighthouse project gets the green light
2. Nassau County kills the project
No option on if Gordon and his sytem work or not. You have to make a call on that!
Love to see you write this one up.
more behind the scenes stores. love those. maybe based on the team now, what will we be doing at the deadline. ik theres the cap problems but maybe we trade the potential ufas and then trade for someone like davison last year or salvador for devs. just a roster player. hopefully someone long term
How about the Laviolette firing…were the Isles down on him that season? Did you see that coming during the Ottawa series? What about the players that supposedly disliked him? Do you know of any other candidates besides Steve Sterling?
I was wondering if you could write a little something on Kieran Millan. So people aren’t so curious/outraged when Garth Snow stands at the podium in June and announces his name… bypassing Taveres and Hedman.
Chris, I know this is before your time with the team in a professional role, but if you had any info on the state of the Islanders of the late 70s and how the team teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, if memory serves me right Roy Boe sold Dr. J and/or the Nets to raise cash and save the Islanders at the time, John Pickett, later ended up saving the day financially. If you know anything about those days, it might be interesting to compare/contrast that the Islanders have been down this road before, things look pretty tough now, but it wasn’t as bleak as it was then.
Some other interesting facts could be how the original logo and uniform were designed, I believe Alan Hahn discusses this in his book, but from what I recall, it was developed pretty much overnight by a local advertising exec., and the original colors proposed were to be blue, green and white. And if you have any Brian “Spinner” Spencer stories that would be a plus also. Thanks
Re: Brian G’s request for “a brief description of the top 20 draft prospects for the 2009 draft”… I’ll go you 10 better. With apologies to CB for posting the link, check this out:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/allan_muir/12/05/mock.draft/index.html
It’s the first (that I’ve seen, anyway) 2009 mock draft, which includes not only a brief look at the writer’s top 30 prospects, but also has teams assigned to them in a projected draft order. Way early on the order of the picks, obviously, but nice summary on the players.
I’m guessing Isles fans won’t exactly be thrilled with this writer’s projected pick.
1-What’s the real reason for the delay retiring Trottier’s number? Did he really ask for money to show up at the event?
2-Can the Isles get on a strong AM radio station next season? The current radio situation is a joke.
3-What do you think about moving the team to Queens with a roof on the AA Tennis Stadium?
4-Do you really think LI deserves to have a pro NHL team? Considering the lack of support by local politicians and the always low attendance. Answer honestly, not politically correct. You don’t have to worry about offending LIers as most know this is a quality blog and you have a good reputation. Thanks
CB-I don’t know if you have information on this, but the Islanders management the last few offseasons has said that free agents don’t want to come here. Is that really true? Or did guys not come here due to circumstance and are the Isles crying wolf to try to speed up the Lighthouse project?
Isles 316: What member of this organization said, and I quote, “free agents do not want to come here”?
But as far as the state of NVMC being a contributing factor when FAs choose between teams offering essentially the same contract goes, you actually DOUBT that to be true? Give FAs a bit of credit, they arent idiots.
Hey Chris, love the blog, how about a look into the locker room dynamics that led not only to Peter’s firing as head coach, but also the ouster of Michael Peca. It would be interesting to see if the room was as divided as “reports” have said it was.
I’m guessing the state of the TEAM is more of a concern than the state of the building.
Not exactly a lot to offer UFA’s in that department lately, either.
“A Buggy Question: Point Blank interviews team Doctor Suchy Von SuchandSuch and asks the burning question, Why don’t hockey teams get flu shots?”
The complete story on why Brian Berard and Mike Milbury didn’t play nice?
CB, I think the story we all want to know is the one about the Milbury years pre Wang. How much was it Mike’s fault? How much was really Mike falling on the sword?
For example, is it true that Milbury stopped the selling of Palfy to the rangers? How many of his crazy trades were forced?
I’m not a Mike Milbury fan but I always had the feeling he was the fall guy for a lot of owner BS pre Sanjay/Wang.
A solid piece would be details of the night Hunter hit Turgeon. What were your thoughts on the situation as a yougn guy who just got in to the business?
I don’t seem to recall too many pieces or players reaction on the incident. If that type of mugging occurred today, he’d be suspended for the year at least. I’d love to hear your take.
Maybe a piece on how Scott Gordon a career Goalie got this forechecking / overspeed system of his.
maybe this will get the blood flowing on AM’s excellent idea on the turgeon-hunter incident: VIDEO
another behind the scenes piece that i’m sure a lot of PBers would love to read would be an expose on the Yashin years. it’s no secret that a few guys didn’t exactly love the guy. and shedding some light on team morale following the OT loss to Ottawa in game 3 would be another good one.
great idea, CB. no boring moments at work today!
I would love to hear the inside track in the trade of Kelly Hrudey to the Kings for Fitzpatrick and McBean.
CB one story I don’t think that was ever told was the trading of Healy for hextall, which killed the chemistry of the team and led to a 1994 sweep by the Rangers over us. The fans never warmed to hextall, Arbor benched him in the playoffs, and I think that 1994 sweep was a killer for the franchise
I would love to hear about the 1975 team and their run to the 7th game of the semifinals.
To me - this is the ultimate Isles team in many ways - primarily - because its the team that took me from being a fan with a MILD interest in hockey to one which made me a HUGE fan.
Third season in the NHL - the beating of the Rags 11 seconds in OT - coming back from a 0-3 deficit to win the series vs Pens and ALMOST doing the same thing to the defending Cup Champ Flyers.
It was an amazing time - and some of these guys are getting up there.
Would welcome the chance to learn more about that series and how the guys are doing these days…..(those who did not make it to the Cup years in particular)
Also, the 72 season and the one game I remember was the 9-7 win in Boston Garden vs the Bruins - defending Cup Champ Bruins.
Also - a “where is Anders Myrvold Now” story !
But an update on Claude Lapointe would be nice.
Pat
How about an article on the most recent Islanders Draft Pick to score 15 goals in an Isles uniform. Ziggy Palffy(1989) Maybe you can answer this question…. Has any team in the history of the league gone 19 drafts without picking a player who would score 15 goals in their uniform?
How about something on Derek King, who I felt (and still do) was unfairly bashed by the Isles faithful while putting up solid numbers year after year in an Isles uniform - I’d be interested to hear what your take on how DK was treated by the fans is.
Dont know if anyone’s said it, but how about a full in depth look at DP? You can even begin it with the 2000 trade/draft that led us to select him… with comparisons to who he replaced.. (Luongo). With regards to the rumors of him being a coach killer, GM killer, Asham killer, do they hold weight? His projected abilities, scouts opinions, can he bring us the cup? Anything and everything DP.
I really enjoy stories such as the Avery-Snow one, or the one about the other Rangers incident in the tunnel several years back. Any exclusive “behind the scenes” stories are definitely a big thumbs up.
How about a story about what it was last season spending All-Star weekend with Rick? What can you say now that you couldn’t say then (as an Isles employee)? Was his hip really hurting? Did he have fun?
Chris, went to a business function last night at The Rock - and since my son was home from college - took him along as there was extra tickets.
Upon seeing the mascot “NJ Devil” - he reminded me of how upset he was when the Isles changed mascots from NYISLES to Sparky - the scoreboard pointed out the NJ Devil as the likely culprit in the disappearance of NyISLES.
I was wondering how the police investigation of the disappearance of NYISLES was proceeding ? The team never gave us the chance to properly mourn the loss of NYISLES ( my kids were upset at the time - and that is why I remembered!)
But was wondering if you had any good stories concerning the whole shift of mascot from the Fisherman to the Dragon. I know why we have the Dragon ( because of Wang’s ownership of the arena football Dragons) - but since he has divested - was wondering if Stanley C. Panther or Harvey the Hound were stalking Sparky and if he needs to watch his back !
Pat
How about a where are they now article about everyone’s favorite Islander and only bright spot through one of our rebuilding periods Ziggy Palffy. Maybe some of your great behind the scenes stories about him. Also maybe the Islanders having a bright spot like him in the system now we can look forward to?
I’m late to the party, but I’d like to see an article about the idea of contraction- how real of a fear is it? If it’s realistic, are the Islanders really a target? I know winning generally cures all, but are the Isles guaranteed to still be around when their kids are ready to win?
I was reading Sports Business Daily yesterday and saw Caps Owner Ted Leonsis claim, on his blog, a severe loss ahead for Washinton financially. Phoenix is said to be devastatingly short in the season ticket dept. The economy is in the dregs for everyone. Teams like Phoenix, Atlanta and the Islanders are often brought up as being the most afflicted.
I think fans who might be concerned about that as a long term possibility might be intrigued. I remember back when there were rumors that the Isles might have been moving to Seattle and WFAN had Frank Brown on to discuss them… but like I said, I’m referring to potential contraction here, not relocation. Lots of smoke and mirrors when talking about “the C” word- perhaps you can sort through them for us!
the hockey news did mag on nhl goalie mask and the history, how about you doing a mag (blog ) on islanders goalie mask’s. snd yes bailey should be in ottawa.